Decision Maker: Governance Committee
Decision status: For Determination
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: No
Decisions:
The Committee
considered a report by Grant Thornton regarding the External Audit
Annual Audit Letter (circulated
previously).
The Head of
Resources provided the Committee with an update on behalf of the
External Auditors. He advised the Committee of the following points
in the External Audit Annual Audit Letter:
- The Executive
Summary included the details of the successful outcomes of their
work with the Council, their audit approach, Value for Money
conclusion, Best Practice reports, details of any significant audit risks and the fees
of the External Audit during the year.
- The Value for
Money Conclusion was that they were ‘Satisfied that in all
significant respects the Council put in place proper arrangements
to secure economy, efficiency and effectiveness in its use of
resources for the year ending 31 March 2019’.
- They wished to
forward their appreciation for the Council staff during the
audit.
- An
‘Unqualified’ opinion had been made and published on
the Council’s website.
- The Audit fees of
£40,999 were lower than those of 2017/18 however, this figure
included an additional £4,500 yet to be approved by the
Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA).
- A fee of
£21,253 due for ‘non-audit services’ covered the
Certification of Housing Benefit.
The Head of
Resources added that, in relation to the identified significant
risks:
- Valuation of land
and buildings: Grant Thornton had again recommended that the
Council change the date of the valuation to 31st March
(from 1st April) to match the balance sheet date. The
Council had resisted this previously as it could result in the
statutory accounts being delayed. The
Council were looking into the matter further to see if the date
could be brought forward in order to assist the auditors.
- Valuation of net
pension liability: a note relating to the McCloud judgement had now
been included within the Accounts.
In response to a
question from the Committee, the Head of Resources confirmed that
the Local Authorities would not be recompensed for the costs
incurred following the McCloud judgement.
RESOLVED
that the External Audit Annual Audit Letter be noted.
Publication date: 17/09/2019
Date of decision: 03/09/2019
Decided at meeting: 03/09/2019 - Governance Committee
Accompanying Documents: